Today’s LA Times Calendar section featured a piece called Blogging L.A. I read about it first on the group blog I contribute to, Blogging.la which also pointed out some omissions. One of the b.la contributors, Heathervescent, was featured on the cover in a beautiful photo. The piece itself is okay. It’s pretty short to actually cover the world of LA blogs. There’s only so much you can write about the media-watchers, political pundits and the individual bloggers who make the mundane readable. If you want to check out other LA-based blogs, you can also check out the sidebar featuring about 40 blogs broken up into categories like personal, food, neighborhood, politics and art.
Now, I got to admit. I was a little disappointed with the article. Writer Scott Martelle left out some great LA blogs, like Lotería Chicana! There’s a part of me that wants recognition, to be known and loved and fawned over. I want a cute and flattering photo in the LA Times. Just kidding… sort of.
I would have liked the article a little more if I felt it truly represented the scope of LA blogs. I know that’s hard to do with so many out there, but if Martelle had at least mentioned something written by Raza in a city where we make up a plurality (46.53%) he would have more accurately shown the “daily face” we LA bloggers show to the world.
My additions for some more notable LA-based blogs (I’ve never read the majority of blogs Martelle listed):
- Noti Los Angeles: the first blog on politics in LA written in Spanish. Jaime Olivares doesn’t just write about City Hall or what’s going on in Sacramento. He also writes about national issues like immigration reform. A caveat, if you’re not bilingual, you’ll be missing out.
- Art for a Change: Mark Vallen admits that he doesn’t focus on the art scene in LA, but it doesn’t matter. He has a lot of great insight on art and its relation to politics and general societal issues. I’d like to think that Chicana and Chicano artists have had a greater purpose than just painting pretty pictures, and I think Mark exemplifies that.
- Tan Lejos y Sin…: Royrak, originally from Mexico City but now a resident of Simi Valley, puts my Miércoles de Mil Palabras photos to shame. His photoblog features tiny things like ants on a leaf as well as people dancing in Venice or simply living.
- La Bloga: everything you wanted to know about Chicana/o and Latina/o literature, and more! Really, RudyG, Manuel Ramos Michael Sedano, Daniel Olivas, and Gina Ruiz often make me sad that most of the reading I do now is either blogs or stuff for classes. Most of the bloggers are from the LA area (Pasadena and the Valley). If you ever want recommendations on literature for any redear, even kids (Gina Ruiz’s specialty) then you must visit La Bloga.
- Sleepwalking through life: Brenda is a fellow UCLA alumna who doesn’t update as often as I’d like. She comments here enough and often lends an ear when I need someone to listen. (Sidenote: I just realized she has a lot of chisme on me… oh well). Most of her entries are personal, but the types of things you can relate to even if you don’t know her. Plus, I’m generally enjoy well written pieces, even if I don’t know know the author or subjects. Recently, Brenda wrote a long and beautiful piece about her abuelita Chole. She writes, “She was an incredibly strong women, who managed to balance tradition with change, and wasn’t afraid of what people would think of her, or her family.” La abuelita Chole seems cool, she even called Robert Smith el Greñudo.
- Kick Some Soul: I know she’d rather be in New York, but she has some interesting things to say and show (nice photos!) about life in this city.
- Xispas: the companion blog to Xispas Magazine based in San Fernando. Xispas is “the place to learn about Xicano culture, art, and politics. We deal with culture, history, indigenous traditions, books, opinions, and social criticism.” The CyberAztec posts frequent pieces on upcoming events in and around LA, such as the Aztec Corn Festival in July.
- LAist: okay, so it’s not by Raza and I don’t think they have any Raza on staff, but Jason Toney is the editor and he does a great job of trying to cover what’s going on in and around the city. Plus, Martelle also left them out and that just sucks.
I wish this list was longer. I’m still on the look out for more Blogotitlecos in LA.
Cindy, let me just proclaim my utter disapproval of those Gothamist websites like the LA-ist or the Austinist. These websites are just scenster websites without any real contribution to specific cultures (unless it’s cool to like something that’s “oh, deck,like, Sri Lankan or even South American that’s kinda quasi-European.”) such as our Mexican-American culture or our Mexican heritage. It’s not cool to reflect on those on those websites. That’s why there’s no Raza blogging there.
EMC,
I’m not going to defend any of the other -ist blogs. I started reading it mainly because I liked Jason Toney’s writing at his own blog which he rarely posts to now (Negro Please). Most of the time, I skim through the discussions about movies, restaurants, and music ’cause that doesn’t interest me. Almost everytime they list shows in the city they leave out all the bands who visit LA from Latin America. It doesn’t interest me and I don’t have the time, so I just don’t read it. Frankly, I have better sources for music-writing and discussion (hint, hint).
What I do read and value LAist for is their breakdown of the news. There’s so much going on in this city (not related to scenesters) that I barely have time to go through it all.
LAist may be trying to show people a good time or where the good times is at, but that’s not a bad objective for a blog. I’ve never heard/read Jason, the LAist editor, proclaim that they represent the city, because he knows they’re missing something.
It’s cool that you’ve gotten so into the LA blog scene. I used to be pretty attached to the (albeit very small) scene down here, but now I never even contribute to San Diego Blog. It’s too bad because it’s a great way to get to know your community better. (I do bump into Chris Nelson occasionally around town, which is kinda fun) Have you gone to any other meet-ups?
Thank you for the list. : )
I’ll check them out!
Reading other Latinos’ writings, especially if well written, is always gratifying. Gracias!
Un fuerte y caluroso abrazo.
Cuidate!
I’ll be sure to check those blogs out when I get a chance.
I’m sorry u didn’t get any recognition. In due time you will. Just remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. . . but we’re [you're] getting there.
oyeme cindy,
dejame decirte que tu blog es uno de mis favorites, y thanks por esta lista. I might be on the opposite coast but I’m always looking for something enlightening to read.
good looks
R.
No Loteria Chicana?!?! You were robbed, and I demand a recount!
For the most part we still don’t exist. I was sitting with my grandmother a couple of days after Ed Roybal died and she told me she had watched ABC News (Peter Jennings show before he passed) for two nights in a row and she didn’t understand why there was so much on Rosa Parks and nothing mentioned about Ed Roybal, who she considered a great man (which he was). I didn’t have the heart to tell her that no one in the mainstream gave a …. But sabes que fuck em.
Oso,
I actually don’t think I’m into the LA blog scene. I don’t like most of the ones I read because they’re just not relevant to me. The personal ones I read and like are written by someone I already have some connection to, like Brenda.
I haven’t gone to any other meetups. A few of the b.la contributors are going to watch a free sneak preview of King Kong this Tuesday, but I’ll be too busy with papers.
Coco,
They all offer something different, but definitely worthwhile. You’re welcome!
Brenda,
I’ve wasted away a whole day because of the game… sigh. I might have to rethink that kicking and screaming stuff.
CAD,
I just want people to know that there are brown people with something to say. We have a voice too!
Rue,
Gracias! Maybe someday we’ll find ourselves on the same coast. Hey, we have coffee bean here!
Joel,
I should write a strongly written letter to the LA Times… heh. Dammit, I subscribe too!
El Grito,
I was truly sad when I heard about Ed Roybal passing away. At that time I didn’t have a TV, so I don’t know how the coverage of his passing was. Still, he definitely did play a big role in our community, but it’s a shame all the LA Times gave him was a canned obit.
Oh cindy,
I was so so so upset yesterday. I was laying on the couch watching the game, hoping for -something- to happen. Of course, the only things to happen were touchdowns for usc. Boo. I was ashamed when i went out to kfc wearing my ucla hoodie. I actually ran into this kid from high school that told me he made a bundle off us losing, and that i was “scandalous” the way they lost. SIGH. Maybe next year???